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We are standing on the cusp of a brand New Year, and we can’t wait to see what 2015 holds in store for us — and Disney!

But we can’t wave goodbye to the old year without looking back on some of the biggest food news that happened throughout Disney Parks.

Most of this year’s big news happened at Walt Disney World, but we have a few memorable moments to share with you from Disneyland as well as other Disney Parks around the globe.

Today, we bring you a look back at 2014’s Biggest Disney Food News Stories! We have a LOT to cover — let’s get started!

First up, a little something I like to call…

The Beginning of Finally Doing Something with Pleasure Island

It’s the story we feel like we’ve been watching for years — what’s happening at Downtown Disney Orlando’s now defunct Pleasure Island??

Well, 2014 finally saw some solid progress, and the Disney Springs story seems to be coming to life.

An Artist’s Rendering of Disney Springs

Lots of changes have made a trip to Downtown Disney a challenge in the last couple of years. But as the year draws to a close, the parking garages are open, and we are seeing some of the plans take shape!

2014 kicked off with a surprise restaurant opening of sorts — the House of Blues added a new counter service offering, The Smokehouse. We say surprise because we told you about the restaurant for the first time just days before the walls came down and the doors opened for business!

However, no one was injured and all of the fish were reportedly rescued. We’re glad that all turned out happily in the situation, but we’ll never look at those huge fish tanks quite the same way again!

Also in the Spring, we said hello to a spot that’s quickly become one of our most favorite spots to shop in all of Walt Disney World — the Marketplace Co-op!

Disney Centerpiece

We have found some totally awesome stuff in the store’s Disney Centerpiece Section, including dishes, glasses, and other tableware that celebrate all of our Disney cult favorites. Whether you’re a Dole Whip fan or love memorabilia celebrating Tomorrowland, chances are you’ll find something that you’ve just gotta have!

We’ve got full reviews of EVERY food item at the 2014 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Booths!

Think this is just flowers and plants? No, sir! As of last year, Disney World has planted some serious foodstuffs into the festival…it’s almost as good as Food and Wine! Spiked Dole Whip? Check! Dole Whip on a waffle? Check! Duck Confit with Garlic Potatoes? Check! Kumquat Pie? Check! And so much more.

An updated Disney Snacks chapter, including our list of dozens of must-try snacks AND our Top 11 Must-Have Snacks for 2014.

An updated section on birthday parties and specialty cakes in Disney World

A comprehensive, 10-page chapter of What’s New in Disney World in 2014, including new restaurants, menu updates, and more

Details about how the My Magic+ Planning System and FastPass+ will affect your vacation planning

Our picks for the 11 Great Snacks you must try this year

Scavenger Hunts, Trivia, and Top 5 List updates

Bingo Cards

Updates on all pertinent facts such as dining hours, prices, resources, phone numbers, and restaurant closures/openings

All new restaurant additions, closures, refurbishments, and added dining experiences

And much more!

But, of course we’re offering a discount for our Grand Launch week!! Again, to celebrate the launch and to thank you for your support of the blog, we’ll be offering the Guide for $4 off its standard rate for a limited time! Order your copy now at DFBGuide.com and use code: [Read more…]

The combo restaurant will close to make way for the continued re-imagining of the Downtown Disney area as it morphs into Disney Springs.

Speculation has abounded regarding what businesses and restaurants will survive and make it through to Disney Springs. Already we have seen the rollout of four food trucks — portending the closure of some restaurants while capitalizing on a hot trend at the same time.

Fantasy Fare Food Truck

Pollo Campero, Bodie’s All-American, and Babycakes NYC join the casualty list that also includes [Read more…]

We’ve had lots of change, new announcements, and brand new experiences.

So today, we thought we’d take a look back at this year, and review the Top 10 Disney Food News Items of 2013!

From new coffee to new restaurants, new technology to new ice cream, we have a ton to cover!

Let’s get started!

1. COFFEE!

When Starbucks and Disney announced in 2012 that the coffee giant would be coming to Disney Parks, the news was huge! And when the first Walt Disney World locations began opening in 2013, the story once again topped the list of Disney food headlines.

Starbucks at Main Street Bakery is Right in the Middle of the Magic

The first location to open was Main Street Bakery on Magic Kingdom’s Main Street USA. While some loyal fans of the historic spot decried the chain store intrusion, many coffee lovers were thrilled that they could now enjoy their favorite brew in the shadow of Cinderella’s Castle.

The reopening of Fountain View Cafe in Epcot as the second WDW Starbucks location seemed to ruffle fewer feathers, since the themeing for the futuristic ice cream parlor wasn’t as beloved as Main Street Bakery. Still, patrons were irked with the lack of seating, even if the many, many bays for ordering mean that your java arrives fresh and fast.

We’ve been enjoying Joffrey’s products for ages at the kiosks throughout the parks, so this was welcome news to many. So far, we are hearing that you seem pleased with the switch from Nescafe to Joffrey’s.

As many of you know, Disney made a big announcement this week for Disney World fans — the expansion and renovation of Downtown Disney in Orlando over the next three years!

As we reported earlier, the new (and improved) area will be called Disney Springs, and construction will double the number of shops and restaurants available to Disney guests.

And since we shared the rumors of new Disney Springs Restaurants a couple of weeks ago, even more rumors are starting to come out!

Downtown Disney will become Disney Springs over the next three years

Will Disney Springs See a “Food Truck Row?”

For example, according to Orlando Business Journal and The Daily City, a “Food Truck Row” may be a major possibility during the new Disney Springs renovation of Disney World’s Downtown Disney.

Disney Springs' Town Center will offer one of a kind shopping and dining experiences

Food trucks have been spotted at Downtown Disney and ESPN Wide World of Sports previously, but local Orlando Food Truck experts The Daily City have some interesting details that might back up a “Food Truck Row” at Disney Springs:

…one of the main food truck builders has a supposed mystery client who has rush ordered

Join me for a visit to the Latin-inspired chicken restaurant that provides an interesting change of pace for Downtown Disney Guests!

Atmosphere

Located in what used to be the cavernous McDonald’s at the end of Downtown Disney’s Marketplace, counter-service location Pollo Campero shares space with two other foodstops: Bodie’s All-American (formerly Fresh A-Peel) and Babycakes NYC. On this visit, we were in the mood for chicken, so Pollo Campero it was.

Outside Pollo Campero

Once inside, you’ll approach the restaurant like most other counter service stops. Choose your food at the counter, and then proceed to a central bank of registers that’s shared with Bodie’s All-American.

Ordering Area

The general set up here is a bit “food-courtish,” but it does [Read more…]

Thanks again to our roving reporter, Sarah Holodick, we get to find out all about breakfast at one of Disney World’s newest dining locations! Chorizo and cheese… I’m getting hungry!

Over the holiday weekend, I took the opportunity to try out Pollo Campero‘s breakfast menu. When I arrived Saturday at 8:30 am, the building was a ghost town. I only saw one other family dining in the entire restaurant.

Immediately, I was greeted with a very rehearsed spiel by a manager mentioning the various options under the roof, including Babycakes NYC (which was still closed at this early hour).

Pollo Campero's Side Entrance

I’m not typically a fan of breakfast burritos, but decided to try one along with a cubano. I was the only one ordering, yet [Read more…]

Pollo Campero, Fresh-A-Peel and BabyCakes NYC Now On Disney Dining Plan
These Downtown Disney restaurants share neighborhood space and all have been added to the Disney Dining Plan. The new bakery on the block, BabyCakes NYC, is offering single-serve items as a Disney Dining Plan snack choice. Sick of popcorn? Then, BabyCakes NYC is your new best friend! (We LURVE the frosting-filled cookie sandwiches!)

Babycakes Cookie Sandwich

And here’s another fantastic option – if you purchase a Quick Service meal with your [Read more…]